London to Manchester bus
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Journey Information
There are 61 intercity buses per day from London to Manchester. Traveling by bus from London to Manchester usually takes around 5 hours and 36 minutes, but the fastest Megabus bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 163 mi (262 km) |
| Shortest duration | 4h 10m |
| Cheapest price | €6.98 |
| Trips per day | 38 |
| Most frequent service | National Express |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Buses from London to Manchester
- FlixBus: 16 daily buses from €7
- Megabus: 16 daily buses from €10
- National Express: 34 daily buses from €12
How much is a bus ticket from London to Manchester?
€12.09 is the average price of a bus ticket from London to Manchester. This is currently one of the best deals in bus travel. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from London to Manchester is expected to range from €7 to €35. If you are looking to travel to Manchester within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from €12. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are €7 and can be found on 22 June 2023.
Monthly average prices
The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in September. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just €14 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from London to Manchester in December, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to €25 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.
Prices as travel date approaches
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. The best way to find cheap bus tickets is to book at least 20 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save €14.26 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.
What bus companies travel from London to Manchester?
There are 3 bus lines from London to Manchester available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 34 daily trips, National Express usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 16 | 5h 13m | €16.97 |
| Megabus | 16 | 5h 23m | €19.57 |
| National Express | 34 | 6h 32m | €29.68 |
First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 16 trips from London to Manchester, and usually makes the trip in about 5 hours and 13 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Founded in 2003, Megabus UK was created to provide travelers with greener, more straightforward and smarter travel. The carrier has routes all across the United Kingdom in England, Scotland, and Wales. The Megabus UK fleet, easily distinguishable by its dark blue and yellow colors, has free Wi-Fi, outlets and charging ports, onboard restrooms, and 20 kg luggage allowances on each bus.
National Express is probably the UK's best-known bus company, offering intercity services to London, Manchester, Southampton, and Edinburgh. Onboard the single and double-decker vehicles, travelers enjoy a good amount of legroom – roomier than airlines have in coach class – alongside WiFi, restrooms, and air conditioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our bus partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, bus carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the bus or in stations.
Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.
The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 36 minutes to cover the 262 kilometers from London to Manchester. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 10 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Manchester at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
The first bus leaves at 02:00 and the last bus leaves at 23:00. To see the times for all buses from London to Manchester, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 61 scheduled buses that travel from London to Manchester every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 38 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from London to Manchester; ticket prices start at €33.79.
City Information
London
One of the most important cities in the world, London is where the traditional blends seamlessly with the modern. As a vibrant modern city, London has something for everyone. For visitors interested in the Royal Family as well as their history, check out Buckingham Palace. The palace is open all days in summer, but only on selected days in winter. The Tower of London, where the crown jewels are put on exhibition, is also a great spot to check out. For fans of history, you might not want to miss out on the famous British Museum, considered by many to be the best museum in all of London. The museum currently carries an impressive collection of 8 million historic objects from all around the world, making it an eye-opening destination for many.
London’s food scene reflects its multiculturalism. Here you can find restaurants serving cuisines from various countries around the world, from India to Malaysia. If you opt for a lavish dining experience, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, run by the famous chef himself, will be a great choice. Also don’t forget to stop by at a local pub and enjoy the beer like a true Londoner.
The city’s centers of intercity rail services are King’s Cross Station and Euston Station, from which you can take a train to other places in the UK or hop on the Eurostar train to Paris and beyond. The largest coach station in the city is Victoria Coach Station, serving big local carriers like National Express. The city’s air services are fulfilled by eight airports, of which London Heathrow Airport, located west of the city, is the busiest one.
Manchester
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Most recognizable for its world-famous football team, Manchester is a modern, vibrant city with a diverse range of attractions that will appeal to explorers of all kinds. Often referred to as "The Capital of the North," Manchester is also known for being the birthplace of the industrial revolution. Visitors can relive this booming era by taking a trip to the Science and Industry Museum to see how this previously small town changed the world's ideas of industry and manufacturing forever. These days, Manchester is famous for its music and art scene, with it being the birthplace of bands like The Smiths and Oasis.
Art and music-lovers may want to visit Afflecks, a vast and eclectic emporium of all things indie and grunge, to purchase records, artwork, and memorabilia, among many other things. Manchester is also home to 15 parks and gardens, with Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Gardens among the most popular. This park provides a beautiful setting for picnics and scenic walks, perfect for when you need an escape from the bustling city.
And if you really are only here for Man U, both Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium are stops on our itinerary to visit every premier league stadium in England.
With three large train stations—Piccadilly, Oxford Road, and Victoria—Manchester is easily accessible via rail. National Express and Megabus coaches also allow access from all over the country. In addition, Manchester Airport houses three large terminals, which provide global entry to the city.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in London?
Image credit: Matt Brown
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Victoria Coach Station
London's Victoria Coach Station has its main entrance on Buckingham Palace Road. Well-signposted but slightly hidden in an attractive art deco office block, the station welcomes around 14 million passengers each year. The arrival and departure areas are at different ends of Elizabeth Street, with the departure zone containing food concession stands, left-luggage facilities, and restrooms. As London's largest coach station, most major coach companies, including FlixBus, Megabus, and National Express, operate from Victoria Coach Station. It is a ten-minute walk to rail and Underground services at Victoria Rail Station, whose 19 platforms include express services to Gatwick Airport.
All bus stations in London:
Victoria Coach Station
235 Finchley Rd
Dunton Rd (Stop WN)
Elephant and Castle
London New Cross Gate
Eltham Road / Westhorne Avenue
Golders Green Bus Station
London Stratford Also for Westfield
Hammersmith Bus Station (Stop D)
N Greenwich Stop F
Ealing Broadway
Dean Gardens / Bedford Rd (Stop R)
Hanwell Broadway (Stop J)
Paddington Rail Station
London Marble Arch (Stop S)
Where does the bus arrive in Manchester?
Image credit: Mikey
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Manchester Coach Station
A short walk from the city center, Manchester Coach Station is located on Chorlton Street on the ground floor of a multistory parking garage. It has basic facilities including restrooms, food kiosks, and a small newsagent. The station's shops are open between 06:30 am and 7:00 pm each day. Neighboring streets offer several bars and other food options. As a major hub for National Express, this station is the departing point for trips to Birmingham, London, Northern Ireland, and Ireland. Local buses depart from streetside shelters outside the station.
Bus stations in Manchester:
Manchester Coach Station
Shudehill Interchange (Stand G)
Thomas Street - Stop Nn
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